Skills Workshops

Our low-cost workshops are packed with practical suggestions and hands-on opportunities to extend your experience. A client on a recent workshop told us that it was 'the best use of £50 to date!' Most of the workshops give one CPD point to members of the Mountain Training Association, who also qualify for a discount.

Contour Masterclass

Venue: meet at the Stickle Ghyll car park in the Langdale valleyDates are on the calendarTimes: 9.30am to 4pm approxCost: £50 MTA members, £55 non-membersCounts as 1 CPD point for Mountain Leader holders and trainees (MTA members)

This is a great opportunity for mountaineers to take their navigation skills to the next level, and it is perfect as a refresher before assessment. Learn how to navigate using only the shape of the ground with contour-only maps, and then transfer this knowledge back to normal maps, again focusing primarily on the shape of the ground. This will really sharpen your navigation skills so that you no longer rely on line features, such as streams, walls and paths, which can all change. Open to ML trainees and award holders, and anyone with comparable personal experience.

SPA Masterclass

Venue: meet at the Stickle Ghyll car park in the Langdale valleyDates are on the calendarTimes: 9.30am to 4pm approxCost: £50 MTA members, £55 non-membersCounts as 1 CPD point for Single Pitch Award holders and trainees (MTA members)

Another opportunity to revisit personal climbing skills and group skills, but this workshop will be focusing on SPA assessment and what is required for a confident pass. The day will be tailored to the needs of the group, and is open to all SPA trainees looking for a refresher before assessment.

Mountain Leader Steep Ground Masterclass

Venue: meet at the Stickle Ghyll car park in the Langdale valleyDates are on the calendarTimes: 9.30am to 4pm approxCost: £50 MTA members, £55 non-membersCounts as 1 CPD point for Mountain Leader holders and trainees (MTA members)

A workshop for Mountain Leader trainees who want a refresher before undertaking the assessment, or award holders who want to take their skills to the next level. We will explore and test ideas to help you to look after people on exposed consequential ground, with and without ropes, and we will look at what works and what doesn't. We will cover the Position of Maximum Effectiveness - what it is and how it will help you.

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Short Roping Workshops For AMI Members

Venue: Langdale valley plus one other venueDates are on the calendarCost: £105Counts as 2 CPD points for MIA holders

A workshop for full AMI members wanting to further their knowledge and experience of managing clients in short roping situations, and improve their interpretation of terrain and associated techniques. The two days will include foundations of short roping, coaching movement for safe travel over steep ground, and short roping on consequential ground, scrambles and easy climbs.

Rope Skills & Rescues Masterclass

Venue: meet at the Stickle Ghyll car park in the Langdale valleyDates are on the calendarTimes: 9.30am to 4pm approxCost: £50 MTA members, £55 non-membersCounts as 1 CPD point for Single Pitch Award holders and trainees (MTA members)

This is great opportunity to revisit personal climbing skills and group skills - ideal for anyone considering SPA assessment, for SPA holders who want to brush up their skills, and to bridge the gap towards MIA. The day will be tailored to the needs of the group. Here's what one of our previous participants said:"Fantastic content, Chris asked at the start of the day what everyone would like to get out of the course, then delivered that content plus a lot more which was great, so far the best use of £50 to date! Just wow! Chris's wealth of experience is incredible and very inspiring to someone just starting out in the world of the outdoors."

Teaching Lead Climbing Workshop For AMI Members

Venue: Langdale valleyDates are on the calendarCost: £55Counts as 1 CPD point for full members

An opportunity for full AMI members to look at different techniques for teaching leading, including:

progressions

on the rope

gear placement

building belays

problem solving and avoidance

Movement Masterclass

Venue: meet at the Stickle Ghyll car park in the Langdale valleyDates are on the calendarTimes: 9.30am to 4pm approxCost: £50 MTA members, £55 non-membersCounts as 1 CPD point for Mountain Leaders and trainees (MTA members)

Two foundational aspects of being a mountain leader are your ability to navigate around the mountains and to move around with confidence on a wide variety of terrain. Teaching people how to move well in the mountains and how to pass on that knowledge is one of my big passions. This workshop is an in-depth look at personal movement techniques - how to walk safely and efficiently in all kinds of terrain, and how to pass this on to others. Open to ML trainees and award holders, and anyone with comparable personal experience.

Scrambling Masterclass

Venue: meet at the Stickle Ghyll car park in the Langdale valleyDates are on the calendarTimes: 9.30am to 4pm approxCost: £50 MTA members, £55 non-membersCounts as 1 CPD point for Mountain Leader holders and trainees (MTA members)

If you want to brush up your personal skills, or you’re looking at taking friends on to more serious ground, this workshop will be great for you. You will learn how to move quickly without compromising safety - perfect for long scrambling days, such as the longer Ben Nevis ridges or the Cuillin of Skye. We will look at how to make good choices and use the best techniques for the terrain. Open to all Mountain Leader Award holders and trainees, and anyone with comparable personal experience.

Learn to Lead Masterclass

Venue: Lake DistrictDates are on the calendarTimes: 9.30am to 4pm approxCost: £55

You've been climbing regularly at your local wall, and you're ready for the progression to trad outdoor climbing. Or you've seconded lots of outdoor routes and you want to learn how to place gear and build belays so you can lead some routes. This workshop covers all the basics of lead climbing outdoors, and will show you how to make good decisions and how to keep yourself and your partner safe.

A workshop for CWA holders and trainees looking at ways to help your clients get the most out of their time with you, including climbing smarter not harder by moving more efficiently. Great as a refresher before undertaking an assessment.

Winter Scrambling Masterclass

Venue: meet at the Stickle Ghyll car park in the Langdale valleyDates are on the calendarTimes: 9am to 4pm approxCost: £50 MTA members, £55 non-membersCounts as 1 CPD point for Mountain Leader holders (MTA members)

If you want to brush up your personal skills, or you’re looking at venturing out on steeper ground in winter, this workshop will be great for you. You will learn how to move quickly without compromising safety, and we will look at how to make good choices and use the best techniques for the terrain. Open to all Mountain Leader holders, and anyone with comparable personal experience.

Winter Short Roping Workshop For AMI Members

Venue: Langdale valley plus one other venueDates are on the calendarCost: £105Counts as 2 CPD points for full members

A workshop for full AMI members (MIA holders, MIC trainees and MIC holders) wanting to further their knowledge and experience of managing clients in winter short roping situations, and improve their interpretation of terrain and associated techniques. The two days will include foundations of short roping, coaching movement for safe travel over steep ground, and short roping on consequential ground, scrambles and easy climbs in the winter environment.